Joey Logano has reignited debate ahead of the Viva Mexico 250, raising Joey Logano concerns about lack of NASCAR practice as the organization continues limiting drivers’ opportunities to prepare. With only one extended practice session before the race at the brand-new circuit, competitors including Logano argue they are set up for failure, highlighting growing frustration throughout the NASCAR Cup Series garage.
NASCAR’s approach to practice has shifted dramatically over recent years, sparking complaints from drivers who believe shortened preparation time undermines both competition and safety. This week, as the Cup Series heads to the challenging Viva Mexico 250 road course, these concerns have reached a boiling point, especially among those unfamiliar with the new layout.
How NASCAR Practice Times Have Changed—and Why Drivers Are Unhappy
Over the last decade, NASCAR has introduced radical changes to its racing structure, including a significant reduction in practice sessions. Previously, teams benefitted from 50-minute stints or multiple windows per weekend, offering drivers time to fine-tune their cars and develop racing strategies. But 2020 marked the start of sweeping changes; first came the pandemic, which temporarily eliminated practice and qualifying altogether.
Post-pandemic, NASCAR did not return to pre-2020 routines. In 2022, a new generation of car arrived on the scene, and practice was slashed further—to just 20 minutes—partly as a cost-control measure and to fit television coverage. The move has drawn criticism. Brad Keselowski, co-owner and RFK Racing driver, commented on the issue during the transition period:
“There is a value to having some practice,”
—Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing co-owner and driver. Teams and drivers have since had to adapt, but not without frustration. While exceptions for new tracks and street courses exist, most drivers find the brief windows insufficient for effective learning or car adjustments.
This controversy is center stage at the Mexico debut, where drivers face a brand-new, intricate 14-turn road course. While a 75-minute practice has been allowed here, Joey Logano insists the session remains inadequate, considering how much adaptation and experimentation both drivers and engineers require for an event of this magnitude.
Joey Logano Voices Intense Frustration Over Limited Track Time
Joey Logano’s criticism of the practice format is not new, but his focus has intensified as the Cup Series ventures to unfamiliar international territory. While the 75-minute allowance exceeds standard practice times in recent years, Logano sees it as insufficient, especially on a complex, lengthy road course with several technical corners. The need to rapidly memorize the new circuit, tune vehicles to handling nuances, and strategize for the race—all in limited time—has ratcheted up pressure on the entire field.
“It’s funny how we’ve changed so much and gotten so used to the lack of practice. That when we get 75 minutes in total, we’re like ‘Whoa! Look at all the time we got!’ On a big road course, you’re getting three runs probably, getting two runs in the first practice, and really only have one in the second practice. You don’t have much time to come back in and change anything, and you got to learn the race track as a driver. So not only you want to adjust the car, but you got to figure out, ‘Where do I hit the brakes? How hard can I go? where’s the tire fall-off going? Where’s the little tricks to the corners that I can cut a little speed here and there? There’s just a lot to try to take in, in a short amount of time, to try to figure all this stuff out,”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series driver, via SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The challenge is not purely technical. With this weekend’s event running 100 laps—outlasting a typical Formula 1 race by nearly 30 laps and stretching over 242.9 miles—the demands on mental and physical stamina are immense. Besides veterans like Kyle Busch and Daniel Suarez, most in the field have no practical experience with the Mexico layout, making each minute of practice especially critical for both learning the racing line and making adjustments to the unpredictable surface.
Logano’s pointed comments reflect deep-seated anxiety about entering a major race with scant preparation. For many competitors, even this extended practice session only offers time for a few runs, leaving drivers without the necessary feel for braking points, grip changes, or tire management on longer stints. As teams scramble to interpret limited data and strategize accordingly, Logano’s concerns about lack of NASCAR practice speak to wider frustrations permeating the paddock.
NASCAR’s Enforcement of Stringent Track Limits Adds to Driver Pressure
The increased complexity of Viva Mexico 250 is compounded by NASCAR’s decision to strictly enforce track limits during Sunday’s race. Throughout the 14-turn course, all four tires must remain inside the designated red and white rumble strips. Any deviation may be caught by cameras and monitored by NASCAR officials. Earlier this season, the implementation of a massive 400-pound barrier at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) exemplified the kind of reinforcement drivers can expect—though that particular barrier was eventually removed after widespread disapproval among racers.
The rulebook is clear for the Mexico weekend: crossing the boundaries carries significant penalties. First offenses will result in a stop-and-go penalty, while repeated violations post-race can incur a punishing 30-second waiting period once the event concludes. Harsh consequences have been enforced before. Last season, for example, SVG was relegated to a 20th-place finish despite crossing the line second, and confusion among competitors over what rules would actually be applied have persisted.
Chase Elliott addressed the risk-and-reward calculus many drivers are weighing:
“I think everyone’s going to be super aggressive with every advantage that you can take and probably stepping over that line. And if you get caught, you’ll get caught and you’ll learn what you can do and can’t. So my intention is to go and push the limits as far as I can push them. I’ll probably step over them at different points in time. And I want to be sure, what’s going to be called and what wasn’t,”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series driver, press meeting.
Strict adjudication of track limits, alongside the unorthodox circuit, heightens the risk of mistakes and increases reliance on every precious minute of practice. Many teams are uneasy about being able to both fine-tune their cars and educate their drivers on where limit enforcement might bite.
What Drivers and Fans Are Grappling With Ahead of Race Day
The convergence of a fresh venue, lengthy race, and short practice time leaves many Cup drivers in genuine uncertainty. Seasoned figures such as William Byron and Daniel Suarez may have an edge due to prior international road course exposure, but for a large portion of the field, the live race will double as a learning session. This raises the stakes for everyone involved, as minor errors—amplified by unfamiliarity—could carry outsize consequences for the standings.
For NASCAR, the outcome of this experiment could influence future practice guidelines and spark new debate over the balance between controlling costs and ensuring a fair, competitive race. As the series continues to expand to unfamiliar venues, the tension between the needs of seasoned drivers, newcomers, and the demands of international events will likely intensify. The discussion around Joey Logano concerns about lack of NASCAR practice could prompt reconsideration among race organizers and Cup Series officials in years to come.
With strict track limits, will NASCAR drivers play it safe or push boundaries at Viva Mexico 250?
The immediate impact of curtailed practice and stringent track policing will only fully emerge once the green flag drops in Mexico. Over the weekend, all eyes will be on drivers such as Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Daniel Suarez, and Chase Elliott as they adapt in real time to an untested circuit. Results from this event may shape driver preparation and race policy well beyond the checkered flag Sunday evening.
